INTRODUCTION. 67 13. A bird's eye view of the whole. If we should attempt merely to name the many interesting things to be found in this work, that would itself be an arduous task requiring us to traverse an extensive field. But this book represents only an infinitesimal portion of the whole of our past literature, the exploration of which will undoubtedly lead to results of immensely greater value. I shall here indicate only some of the interesting subjects, out of many to be found in this work, and hope that they will be sufficient to attract the curiosity of my readers to this important find. Though the descriptions are sometimes exaggerated and manifest the crude notions of rustic bards, the old world of Bengal is here, so the value of the references herein indicated should not be ignored. On p. 98 the court of a Hindu king (11th century) is described which may be contrasted with another stamped with Mahomedam influence mentioned on p. 1487. War is described on pp. 325, 408-409, 413, and 106; war-implements on p. 413; the dress of soldiers on pp. 413; war-music on p. 412; the head-dress of a warrior on p. 392; the war-dress of an independent chief on pp. 436-437; war-dress of a general on p. 431; discription of a great hero fully dressed on pp. 429–430. It is curious to note in this connection that even a mighty hero used to wear velvet shoes when marching to the battle-field (p. 392). Description of a fortified city will be found on p. 403, that of a capital city on p. 334, and of a war chariot on p. 306. Soldiers were recruited from all castes including the Brahmins (pp. 327–328). We also find that Telegu soldiers were often employed in large numbers in the Bengal army (p. 252). The oppressions of the police and the way in which they used to manufacture cases are described on pp. 399–400; the system of espionage is described fully by Bhāratchandra and Râmprasād Sen”. The oppressions by Mahomedans are described on p. 189. Von Neor in his life of Akbar quotes a section of the Mahomedan Law authorising the Mahomedan collectors to spit into the mouths of the Hindu subjects when collecting rents. On p. 189 we find Mahomedans spitting into the mouths of the Hindus, particularly Brahmins, who had sacred Tulsi leaves on their hair or otherwise looked holy. The way in which the Mahomedans desecrated Hindu temples will be found on p. 217. They used to carry away Hindu women and marry them (p. 192). The ‘mild Hindu', when he had opportunities was not slow to retaliate. On p. 215, we find the Goâlâs tying the neck of a Maulvi with a cord made of goat-skin and besmearing his face with goat's blood. The independent chiefs sometimes employed hired bandits to commit robberies on the wayfarers (p. 1248). The structure and other particulars of a prison house and
- See History of Bengali Language and Literature pp. 647-648.
